Benitez welcomes dismissal in Bacolod land deal case

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Bacolod Rep. Alfredo “Albee” Benitez said he will no longer pursue any countercharge against the complainant who filed a graft case against him and several others, including city councilors, over a PHP 971 million land banking project when he was mayor.

In a 28-page resolution dated April 14, 2026, the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas in Cebu City dismissed the criminal complaint for violation of Section 3(g) of Republic Act 3019, as amended, and violation of Republic Act 6713 against Benitez, several councilors, and Raymond Danico, Jose Maria Ledesma Jr., Sebastian Antonio Ledesma, Gerardo Ledesma, and Ma. Eugenia Ledesma for lack of sufficient evidence.

Republic Act 3019 is the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, while Republic Act 6713 is the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

The government officials named in the case included Councilors Al Victor Espino, Jude Thaddeus Sayson, Israel Salanga, Em Ang, Simplicia Distrito, Celia Matea Flor, Psyche Marie Sy, Lady Gles Gonzales-Pallen, and Jayson Isidro Villarosa, and former Councilors Cindy Rojas, Vladimir Gonzales, and Ayesha Joy Villaflor.

The administrative charges of grave misconduct and violation of Republic Act 6713 against Benitez, the councilors, and Danico were also dismissed for lack of substantial evidence.

“Correspondingly, complainant’s prayer for public respondents’ preventive suspension is denied,” the Ombudsman stated.

“The Office finds no substantial evidence that public respondents violated any rules, or committed any violation of RA 6713, that would make them administratively liable,” the Ombudsman said, explaining that there was no definite showing of overpricing for the subject lots or that the lots were subject to the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law.

“Neither was there a showing of a conflict of interest under RA 6713,” it added.

The criminal complaint for violation of Section 3(g) of Republic Act 3019, as amended, and violation of Republic Act 6713 against Antonio Ma. Ledesma was dismissed because of his death.

In a statement, Benitez said the issues raised had already been thoroughly addressed, and the Ombudsman’s ruling affirmed that there was no basis for the allegations.

“For me, that is more than enough. The dismissal of all cases stands as our full vindication,” he added.

Benitez said engaging in further legal action at this point would serve no meaningful purpose and would only consume time and resources better devoted to public service.

Local radio blocktimer Roger Ledesma filed the complaint on March 13, 2025, accusing the city government of irregularities in its purchase of 74.76 hectares in Hacienda Conchita, Barangay Granada, from the Ledesma-Lizares family.

The land was bought for PHP 971,863,100, or about PHP 13 million per hectare, and financed through the city’s PHP 4.4 billion loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines.

The land purchase was part of Bacolod City’s land banking initiative, which local officials earlier said was intended for housing and other development projects.

Ledesma’s complaint alleged that Benitez signed a deed of absolute sale on Oct. 11, 2023, despite the property being classified as agricultural land under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program law.

He pointed to City Land Tax Office records showing the previous owners were paying taxes based on the property’s agricultural classification and insisted that the land had never been declared residential.

He also noted the absence of a land use conversion clearance from the Department of Agrarian Reform.

Ledesma further claimed the property was purchased at a price far above its zonal value, which the Bureau of Internal Revenue set at PHP 415,000 per hectare.

He argued that Benitez and the City Council failed to properly assess the property, mistakenly assumed it was residential land, and neglected due diligence.

He also alleged that the deputy register of deeds fast-tracked the transfer, issuing a new title on Nov. 20, 2023, just 40 days after the City Council ratified the sale.

The Ombudsman later ruled that there was no definite proof of overpricing, noting that the valuation was based on zonal values and appraisal procedures that considered the property’s location, accessibility, infrastructure, and development potential.

Benitez stressed that the findings affirmed there was no basis to hold them administratively or criminally liable, and that there was no clear showing of overpricing, conflict of interest, or bad faith in the transaction.

“In short, everything was above board. Simply put, these were based on what we believed was in the best interest of the people of Bacolod,” he said.

Benitez said he understands that scrutiny comes with public office, that it is part of accountability, and that he respects the process.

“From the very beginning, I have maintained that all actions we have taken were done in accordance with the law and due process,” the lawmaker said.

He said he has chosen to move forward and continue focusing on his work for the people.

“Now that this matter has been resolved, my focus remains unchanged. We will continue to do the work—strengthening our local economy, improving basic services, and ensuring that every decision we make delivers real value to our people,” he said.